Category

Program Guide

Introduction

The past two decades featured Emirates transforming from an ordinary regional carrier into one of the most iconic brands in the entire industry. While it’s headquartered in a tiny Middle Eastern country, the United Arab Emirates, everything else about the company is huge. Continue reading “Airline Guide: Emirates”→

Introduction

While Air France and KLM are the respective flag-bearing carriers of France and the Netherlands, they merged together in 2004 to form one of the largest airlines in Europe. The partnership has been, by and large, hugely successful, although the travel experience is rather inconsistent. Continue reading “Airline Guide: Air France/KLM”→

Introduction

At one point, British Airways was considered to be the carrier for higher flying. It was the first to debut lie flat seats in business class, its route map was one of the furthest reaching in the world, and its expansive, sprawling hub at London Heathrow airport was loaded with world-class amenities. The prestige and reputation BA earned as an industry leader in the beginning years of this millennium have regrettably since faded.

Introduction

Low cost carriers (LCCs) have been hugely important in mobilizing the world, particularly in Europe and Southeast Asia. Thanks to efficiency-boosting technological advances (i.e. cheap planes!) within an industry that’s normalizing cost-cutting corporate business models (i.e. more fees!), running an airline is becoming increasingly less expensive (and far more profitable). New companies have since emerged in wake of these trends, such as Ryanair and AirAsia, and committed themselves to passing savings on to consumers.

Introduction

Singapore is a modern day city-state, and despite being no more than a tiny island at the tip of Malaysia, it is home to one of the world’s premiere airlines. With help from its centrally located hub, Singapore Airlines connects passengers to and from every inhabited continent. It is efficient in its operations, and is considered to be the second largest carrier in the world, as measured by market capitalization. Continue reading “Airline Guide: Singapore Airlines”→

Introduction

Despite enduring significant financial troubles throughout the 2000s — it entered bankruptcy once and had another close call later on — Air Canada has since rebounded and is currently in the middle of a renaissance. With brand new planes, kind service, and a decent loyalty program, Canada’s flag carrier is far and away the best North American legacy carrier. Continue reading “Airline Guide: Air Canada”→

Introduction

Low cost carriers, like Southwest, JetBlue, and Spirit, play interesting roles in the landscape of the American commercial aviation industry. When Southwest Airlines was established in 1967, it made a business model focused on minimizing operating costs mainstream, and that correspondingly changed the dynamic of air travel forever. Continue reading “Airline Guide: American Low Cost Carriers”→

Introduction

For higher flyers, United Airlines arguably offers the greatest potential for enhancing your travel experiences and flying higher. Not only is it the best among the Big 3, it’s also one of the best in the world. Continue reading “Airline Guide: United Airlines”→

Introduction

Delta, by many accounts, offers the best product for day-to-day domestic travel. Of the Big 3, Delta is the only one that doesn’t genuinely suck, and no matter which cabin you’re in, it’s a fine way to get around both the country and the globe. Continue reading “Airline Guide: Delta Airlines”→

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About The Higher Flyer

Established in August 2016, The Higher Flyer has been committed to helping its readers understand how airline, hotel, and bank loyalty programs work. With special focus given to frequent flyer miles and reward points, the posts and pages of this website explore the ways in which they can be redeemed for top-of-the-line experiences. Some know-how, creative thinking, and discipline can turn anyone into an elite traveler: a higher flyer. Need more help? Professional consulting services are available at the companion site: THF Consulting.

THF’s Advertising Disclosure

Everything on this website is my, Paul Colins’s, unbiased work. I do not receive any special or unusual funding or compensation from airlines, hotels, banks, or any other third party. All of the writing is my own, just as my commentary is independent of anyone/anything other than myself and what I have experienced personally.

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The Higher Flyer is owned jointly by Paul Colins and The Higher Flyer, LLC. The sole and exclusive purpose of this website (i.e. thehigherflyer.org) is to entertain. The owners are not, and do not claim to be, travel agents, journalists, or certified financial planners. The published writings here are general in scope, and should not be directly applied to any one individual circumstance. Please be sure of your own financial situation before attempting to become a “higher flyer,” as the owners cannot be liable for your actions.